Ilsur Metshin performed at the first meeting of the Advisory committee on sustainable urbanization
This was the first official event for the Mayor of Kazan in his role as President of UCLG.
Mayor of Kazan, President of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and President of the UN Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA), Ilsur Metshin, performed at the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Urbanization under the President of the General Assembly on Sustainable Urbanization. The event was held via videoconference.

Welcoming the other participants of the meeting, he recalled that 6 years ago the international community adopted the Sustainable Urban Development Goals (SDGs), 5 years ago – a New Urban Development Program. According to him, the only way to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in a sustainable and inclusive manner, to achieve the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, and to realize the "Five Rays of Hope" outlined by President of the General Assembly Abdulla Shahid in his inaugural address – overcoming the pandemic, sustainable recovery, meeting the needs of the planet, respecting the rights of all, and reforming the UN – is to place urbanization and localization at the heart of global agendas and recovery measures. “It is our collective duty to step up efforts to bring greater attention to the New Urban Agenda as a vital component in achieving the SDGs, with the aim of creating sustainable, inclusive, just, and safe cities,” said the UCLG President.

Ilsur Metshin added that UNACLA is the result of a call to strengthen partnerships between local and regional authorities and the UN system, particularly with UN-Habitat, and the recognition of local authorities as key partners in implementing the international development strategy toward global urbanization and the UN-Habitat agenda.
At present, he said, it is essential to enable the UNACLA Committee to provide representative recommendations on all matters concerning local and regional authorities, ensuring alignment between them, the New Urban Agenda, and the UN system. “I look forward to exchanging views and jointly building a long-term partnership to implement the New Urban Agenda, localize universal development programs, and deliver on the Common Agenda to protect our communities, transform our planet, and strengthen governance worldwide,” concluded the UCLG President.

The Advisory Committee on Sustainable Urbanization was established by President of the General Assembly Abdulla Shahid. Its aim is to support the development of a strategy to promote sustainable urbanization, accelerate post-pandemic recovery, combat climate change, empower women, and encourage inclusive multilateralism and stakeholder partnerships.

Members of the Advisory Committee also include: President of the Economic and Social Council Collen Vixen Kelapile, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Executive Director of UN-Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe on behalf of regional commissions Olga Algayerova, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce John Denton, Chair of the Habitat Professionals Forum Mona Rady, the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, the Huairou Commission, and Permanent Representatives of South Africa, Canada, Lebanon, Kenya, Indonesia, Slovakia, Ecuador, and Jamaica.

During the 76th session, the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Urbanization will meet three times. The next meeting is scheduled for March.

As a reminder, in November, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin was elected President of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).